Bottle-filling machine.



N0. 809,407. PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906.

F. B. THATGHER.

BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED D30. 6, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 809,407. PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906.

F. B. THATOHER. BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.6,1902.

a sums-sum 2.

No. 809,407. PATENTED JAN. 9; 1906.

- -P. B. THATGHBR.

BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 6. 1902.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

lllll ll ///l \m \lllllll-llllllllllll' unrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BOTTLE-FILLING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1906 Application filed December 6,1902. SerialITO-134,161.

10 00M w/wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK B. THATCII- ER, a citizen of theUnitedStates, and a resident of Providence, in the county of Providence andState of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Bottle-Filling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the class of machines employed for fillingbottles with a liquid under pressure and the object of my invention isto provide a machine of this class especially adapted for use in fillingbottles provided with what are known as swingbail stoppers; and afurther object is to provide means for completely uncovering the mouthof the bottle and for directing the liquid directly into the mouth ofthe bottle; and a further object is to provide means for securely andtightly replacing the stopple in.

the mouth of the bottle; and a further object is to provide a machine ofthis class that shall be extremely durable, simple in construotion, andeasy of manipulation.

A form of machine in the use of which the above objects may be attainedis illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a viewin side elevation of my improved bottling-machine. Fig. 2 is a top orplan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail view, in central longitudinalsection, through the filling apparatus looking from the side. Fig. 4 isa detail side view, on enlarged scale, partly in section, of the lowerend of the filling-tube and stopper-holden Fig. 5 is a top view of thesame. Fig. 6 is a detail side view, partly in section, of the lower endof the stopper-holder on enlarged scale. Fig. 7 is a detail bottom view,on enlarged scale, of the stopper-holder. Fig. 8 is a detail front view,on enlarged scale, of a slightly-modified form of holder. Fig. 9 is adetail view in section through said modified form on enlarged scale.Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view, on enlarged scale, of this latterform of holder. Fig. 11 is a perspective view, on enlarged scale,showing the operation of the holder in grasping and removing a porcelainstopper. Fig. 12 is a view in side elevation of the filling tube,showing a connection from the syrup-gage directly therewith. Fig. 13 isa top view showing this connection.

In the accompanying drawings the numeral 1 denotes a base or standard onwhich is supported a pan or table 2. A treadle 3 is pivoted to the innerside of the base andproj ects to the front in position accessible to thefoot of the user. A lever 4 is also pivoted to the inner side of thebase and is connected with the treadle by a rod 5. A spring 6 holds theparts normally at the upper limit of their play. A plunger 7 extendsdownward through the pan or table 2 and is connected, by means of a rod8, with the lever 4.

A support 9 is mounted in the bottom of the pan 2 and has a shank 10extending through the bottom of the pan and held in position, as bymeans of a set-screw 11, projecting through the base or standard to thefront of the machine. A guide 12 is located on the support 9'todetermine the roper position of a bottle which is to be fl led in themachine.

Aboss 13 is located in one side of the pan 2 projecting, preferably, tothe upper edge of the pan, and a bracket 14 is secured to this boss andprojects upward therefrom. The plunger 7 has a bearing in the upper andlower portions of this bracket, this plunger extending into a tube 15,secured to .the upper end of the bracket, the plunger having a freesliding movement in its supports. and projects on opposite sides of thebracket and prevents turning movement of the plunger.

A housingsupport 17 is secured to the plunger 7, and a housing 18 issecured to this support and projects downward from the under sidethereof. This housing is preferably formed of metal and has openingsabout its periphery, in which glass is inserted, through which the mouthof the bottle located within the housing may be observed. A clamping-nut19 is secured to the bottom of the housing, and a packing 20 is clampedbetween the edge of the housing and this clamping-nut. This packingis-of yielding A guide 16 is secured to the plungerform and shaped tofit upon the sloping surface of the neck of the bottle to be filled inthe machine. cured to the support 17, preferably as by means ofinterengaging screw-threaded parts. A guard or shield 21 is pivoted tothe bracket 14 and is in engagement with the plunger, so that as thelatter is lowered the shield will assume a position in front of thebottle.

A filling-chamber 22 is secured upon a support 17 and a tube 23 leadsfrom said fillingchamber to the end 24 of a syrup-gage. The end only ofthis syrup-gage is shown herein, as the construction and operation ofthe gage The housing is removably seitself will be readily understood bythose skilled in the art. A filling-tube 25 passes through thefilling-chamber 22 and through the housing 18. The opening at each endof the filling-chamber and through the housingsupport 17 is suitablypacked to allow a lengthwise movement of the filling-tube, but preventthe escape of fluid from within the chamber and through the openings inwhich the tube moves. An opening 25 is formed in the wall of thefilling-tube, this opening being so located that it is within thechamber when the filling-tube is in position to admit fluid to a bottlebeing filled. An operatinglever 26 is pivoted to the upper end of thefilling-tube 25 and projects downward there from toward the front of themachine. A handle 27 is secured to this lever as a means of operatingit. The lever projects to the opposite side of the filling-tube and hasa guide-slot 28 for the reception of a leverguide 29, that is secured tothe upper end of the tube 15. e

A stopper-holder 30 is secured, preferably removably, to the lower endof the fillingtube 25. This stopper-holder has a socket 31, in which thelower end of the filling-tube 25 fits, the holder being secured to thetube, as by means of a set-screw 32. A passage 33 leads from the socket31 downward through the holder to a nipple 34, from which the liquid tobe supplied to the bottle flows. This stopper-holder is also providedwith a foot 35, in which is formed a recess 36. This recess is open onthe front; but the bottom is partially closed by a lip 37, located oneach sideand leaving an opening 38 in the bottom of the holder. Therecess 36 is enlarged at the back, as indicated at 39, and each of thelips 37 is depressed at the back of the recess 36, forming aholding-socket 40, in which the stopper or a projection therefrom islocated when the filling-tube 25 is lifted. This enlargement 39, andespecially the holdingsocket 40, retains a stopper firmly in place andprevents any movement out of the holder.

The holder above described is designed especially for use in connectionwith a form of stopper which has a headed projection on the upper side,the head passing into the recess 36 and the shank being located betweenthe lips 37 and when the bottle is firmly placed. the head orbutton'resting in the socket 40.

In the form of holder shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10 means are provided forholding a porcelain stopper or one that has a comparatively smooth outersurface-that is, free from projections or the like. In this form of theholder, however, there is provided the same means for securely holdingthe stopper as in the form above described. The holder 41 is providedwith a recess 42, which tapers from the upper side to the lower end,providing a narrow opening 43 at the bottom. The

recess 42 is enlarged at the back portion thereof, providing astoppenchamber 44. In this form of the device the tapered porcelainstopper is inserted in the recess 42 and located at the back portionthereof in the enlarged stopper-chamber 44. As the fillingtube is raisedthis stopper sinks into the enlarged stopper-chamber 44 and is securelyheld therein from any movement toward the front, as in the device abovedescribed.

In the operation of the machine the bail of the stopper is firstloosened, and, the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 1, thestopper is inserted in the holder and located in the stopper-holdingchamber therein and the bottle placed in position on the bottle rest orsupport. Pressure upon the foottreadle moves the housing until thepacking securely rests upon the sloping shoulder of the bottle, thuslocating the mouth of the bottle in the securely-packed chamber. Thehandle 27 is grasped and lifted upward, sinking the stopper into thestopper-chamber, and the handle is then swung to one side. This carriesthe stopper entirely away from the mouth of the bottle and locates thenipple 34 directly over the mouth of the bottle. The syrup-gage is thenopened, and the liquid flows into the bottle under pressure. When theproper amount of liquid is supplied to the bottle, the syrup-gage isturned off, the handle 27 swung back to position and lowered. Pressureis now retained on the handle, and the pressure on the foot-treadle isreleased, the housing being carried upward under the force of the spring6. The eccentric of the stopper is now secured in position, and pressureon the handle is released and the bottle removed, when the operation maybe repeated.

In Figs. 12 and 13 there is shown a form of my improvement that is insome forms of the machines the preferred form of the device. In thisstructure a connection is made directly between the syrup-gage and thefilling-tube, a flexible connection 45 being secured to the end 24 ofthe syrup-gage and also to the filling-tube. In this construction thefilling-tube 46 is supported in a bracket 47, secured to the plate 17,to which the housing 18 is secured. The chamber surrounding thefilling-tube is dispensed with in this form of construction, and theflexible connection allows the longitudinal movement of thefilling-tube, together with the lateral swinging movement thereof. Theother forms of the structure are the same as hereinbefore described.

It is obvious that other forms for engaging a stopper may be employedand yet come within the scope of my invention and with out the exerciseof anything more than mere mechanical skill, and such other forms solong as they embody a housing, and means projecting within the housingfor engaging the stopper to lift it and swing it to one side independentof its attachment to the bottle, will be understood as coming within thescope of the invention.

*What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by'Letters Patent,is-

1. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing, a fillingtube projecting into the housing, a stopperengagingdevice borne on the tube and having means to engage and entirelydisconnect the stopper from the bottle and lift and carry it in thelateral movement of the stopper-engaging device, and means for impartingindependent longitudinal and lateral movement to said device todisconnect and swing the stopper clear of the mouth of the bottle.

2. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing appurte nant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into thehousing, a stopper-engaging device located on the tube and having meansto engage and entirely disconnect the stopper from the bottle and liftand carry it in the lateral movement of the stopper engaging device, andmeans for independently lifting and turning said tube to disconnect andremove the stopper from the bottle.

3. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into the housingand located eccentrically therein, a foot secured to the tube andadapted to engage a stopper, and means for entirely and independentlylifting and turning said tube to rpmove the stopper from the mouth of abott e.

4. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing therefor, a filling-tube projecting into the housing and locatedeccentrically therein, a foot secured to the tube and havingstopper-engaging means to engage and entirely lift and carry the stopperin the lateral movement of the stoppenengaging device and having afluidout et, and means for lifting and axially turning the tube toremove the stopper and loclate the fluid-outlet over the mouth of a botte.

5. In abottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, afilling-tube projecting into the housingand having a recess located and arranged to entirely lift and carry astopper, and means for axially turning the tube to remove the stopperfrom the mouth of a bottle.

6. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into the housingand having a recess located and arranged to entirely lift and carry astopper, and means for lifting and axially turning the tube to removethe stopper from the mouth of a bottle.

7. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into the housing,a foot offset from the tube and containing a recess located and arrangedto entirely lift and carry a stopper, and means for lifting and axiallyturning the tube to remove the stopper from the mouth of a bottle.

8. In a bottle-filling machine,'in combination with a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting lnto the housing,a foot offset from the tube and having a recess located and arranged toentirely lift and carry a stopper, and a fluid-outlet, and means foraxially turning the tube to remove the stopper and locate the outletover the mouth of a bottle.

9. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing, means for reciprocating the housing, a filling-tube extendinginto the housing, a foot offset from the end of the tube and having arecess located and arranged to entirely lift and carry a stopper, andmeans for raising and axially turning the tube to remove the stopperfrom a bottle.

10. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing, means for reciprocating the housing, a filling-tube, a fluidconnection to the filling-tube, a foot offset from the end of the tubeand having a recess located and arranged to entirely lift and carry astopper, and a fluid-outlet, and

means for axially turning the tube to remove the stopper and locate thefluid-outlet over the mouth of'a bottle.

11. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing, means for reciprocating the housing, a filling-tube projectinginto and located eccentrically to the axis of the housing, a fluidconnection with the filling-tube, a foot offset from said tube andhaving a recess located and arranged to entirely lift and carry astopper, and a fluid-outlet, and means for axially turning the tube toremove the stopper and locate the fluid-outlet over the mouth of abottle.

12. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing, a fillingtube projecting into the housing and having meanslocated and arranged to entirely lift and carry a stopper, and ahandle-lever secured to the tube to turn it to remove the stopper fromthe mouth of a bottle.

13. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing, a fillingtube projecting into thehousing and having meanslocated and arranged to entirely lift and carry a stopper, ahandle-lever secured to the tube to turn it, and a guide for said lever.

14. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing, a fillingchamber located above the housing, a fillingtubeextending through said chamber into the housing, a fluid connection tosaid fluidchamber, means on the end of a tube located and arranged toentirely lift and carry a stopper, and means for axially turning thetube to carry the stopper from the mouth of a bottle.

15. In a bottlcfilling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into the housing,a stopper-holding device having a recess for the entrance of a stopperand an enlarged recess for holding the stopper in the final placing ofthe bottle before movement of the stopper-holding device to remove thestopper, and means foroperating the stopperengaging device to entirelylift and carry the stopper.

16. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing therefor, a filling-tube projecting into the housing, a foot onthe end of the tube having a lipped recess extending lengthwise of thefoot, and a holding-recess located in the upper surface of the lips forthe final placing of a stopper before movement of the foot to remove thestopper.

17. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into the housing,a stopper-engaging device having a lipped recess and an enlarged recessat the back portion thereof for the final reception of a stopper beforemovement of the stopper-engaging device to remove the stopper, and meansfor operating the stopper-engaging device.

18. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into the housing,a foot on the end of a tube having a lipped recess extending lengthwiseof the foot and a lateral recess for the final reception of a stopperbefore movement of the foot to remove the stopper opening out of thelengthwise recess, and means for operating the tube.

19. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing therefor, a filling-tube, a foot secured to the end of the tubeand having a recess for the reception of a stopper and an enlargedrecess at the back portion thereof for finally receiving a stopperbefore movement of the foot to remove it, and means for opera ting thetube.

20. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into the housing,stopper-engaging means located on the tube to entirely lift and carry astopper, and means for lifting and axially turning said tube.

21. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a sup ort and ahousing a ppurtenant thereto, a fil ing-tube projecting into the housingand eccentrically located therein, stopper-engaging means on the end ofthe tube to entirely lift and carry a stopper and means for lifting andaxially turning said tube.

22. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination, a support, a housingappurtenant to the support, a filling-tube extending into and locatedeccentrically of the housing, an offset foot from said tube having meansfor receiving a stopper to entirely lift andcarry it, and means foroperating the tube.

23. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into the housingand having a recess located and arranged to entirely lift and carry astopper, and. means for axially turning the tube to re move the stopperin a lateral direction from the mouth of a bottle.

24. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into the housingand having a recess located and arranged to entirely lift and carry astopper, and means for lifting and axially turning the tube to removethe stopper in a lateral direction from the'mouth of a bottle.

25. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing. appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into thehousing, a foot offset from the tube and containing a recess located andarranged to entirely lift and carry a stopper, and means for lifting andaxially turning the tube to remove the stopper in a lateral directionfrom the mouth of a bottle.

26. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and a.housing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into the housing,a foot offset from the tube and having a recess located and arranged toentirely lift and carry a stopper and a fluid-outlet, and means foraxially turning the tube to remove the stopper in a lateral directionand locate the outlet over the mouth of the bottle.

27. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing, means for reciprocating the housing, a filling-tube extendinginto the housing, a foot offset from the end of the tube and having arecess located and arranged to entirely lift and carry a stopper, andmeans for raising and axially turning the tube to remove the stopper ina lzltteral direction from the mouth of the bott e.

28. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing, means for reciprocating the housing, a filling-tube, a fluidconnection to the filling-tube, a foot offset from the end of the tubeand having a recess located and arranged to entirely lift and carry astopper and a fluid-outlet, and means for axially turning the tube toremove the stopper in a lateral direction from and locate thefluid-outlet over the mouth of the bottle.

29. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination with a support and ahousing, means for reciprocating the housing, a filling-tube projectininto and located eccentrically to the axis 0 the housing, a fluidconnection With the filling-tube, a foot offset from said tube andhaving a recess located and arranged to entirely lift and carry astopper and having a fluid-outlet, and means for axially turning thetube to remove the stopper in a lateral direction from and locate thefluid outlet over the mouth of the bottle.

30. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination With a sup ort and ahousing appurte nant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into thehousing, stopper-engaging means located on the tube to entirely lift andcarry a stopper, and means for axially turning said tube and lifting itindependently of its turning movement.

31. Ina bottle-filling machine, in combination With a support and ahousing appurtenant thereto, a filling-tube projecting into the housingand eccentrically located therein, stopper-engaging means on the end ofthe tube to entirely lift and carry a stopper, and means for axiallyturning said tube and for lifting it independent of its. turningmovement.

32. In a bottle-filling machine, in combination, a filling-tube having afoot on the end thereof containing a lipped recess extending lengthwiseof the foot and a holding-recess located in the upper surface of thelips for the final reception of astopper before movement of the foot toremove the stopper.

FREDERICK B. THATOHER.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK M. BREWER, CHARLES F. THATOHER.

